The Gordon County Board of Commissioners formally set the total millage rate for Gordon County at 22.229 mills, marking the lowest local property tax rates in over a decade. The board adopted a 7.7 mill rate for the Gordon County Government and a 14.529 mill rate for the Board of Education, representing a full rollback. While homesteaded properties will likely see a tax decrease, commercial properties—completely reassessed for the first time since 2018—are facing an increase. The adoption followed a public hearing where no one signed up to speak.
The board voted 5-0 on all matters, including tabling a proposed $106,450 TischlerBise impact fee study to gather more information; sources say commissioners will likely take the issue back up before the year’s end. Additional unanimous approvals included declaring Sheriff’s Office tactical gear as surplus, the $8,000 purchase of a DTE power tilt trailer, updated IT and Acceptable Use Policies featuring new AI guidelines, and a $660,302 Slate Mine Bridge repair contract awarded to SunCoast Restoration & Waterproofing.
August sales tax collections presented at the meeting remained high, with the county reporting $848,280 in LOST (+2.81%), $1,375,273 in SPLOST (+2.6%), and $1,332,540 in new FLOST revenue. While Governor Brian Kemp recently suspended the state motor fuel excise tax, local fuel sales taxes are exempt from the suspension. In July, the state raised the prepaid fuel tax base from $2.49 to the $3.00-per-gallon statutory maximum. Stacked with Gordon County’s 4% total local tax rate, the county continues collecting a combined 12 cents per gallon locally at the pump. This structural hike, combined with ongoing inflation, is the primary reason for the continuous increase in local tax collections.
In infrastructure discussions, the Airport Authority is asking the Board of Commissioners and Calhoun City Council to consider contributing another $200,000 each for additional paving to meet a partial match for state funds. No update was available regarding how much actual revenue the airport generates, and we are continuing to investigate exactly how much taxpayer funding is spent on the local airport facility.
Gordon County Fire Rescue Chief Heath Derryberry delivered a departmental update, reporting 3,189 calls for service and 11,941 training hours logged through September. The department also showcased its newly delivered 107-foot aerial ladder truck—the largest in Gordon County history—which will aid in lowering the county’s ISO rating. Commissioners also signed a National Fire Prevention Month Proclamation highlighting the safe charging of lithium-ion batteries.
In city news, the Calhoun City Schools Board of Education adopted its FY27 millage rate at 10.888 mills, marking their seventh consecutive rollback. Meanwhile, the City of Calhoun Zoning and Planning Commission meets tomorrow, October 8th.
We were joined on air this morning by 4H Director Keaton Hayworth and 4H member Emma Osmanovic, a sophomore at Sonoraville High School. They stopped by to discuss 4H Week and the ongoing produce sale, which features all Georgia-grown produce and directly supports the local club. Also on the community calendar, a Fall Recycling Day is set for Saturday, October 17th at Rock Bridge Community Church.
In sports, the Atlanta Braves face elimination after falling 3-1 to the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 3 of the NLDS, putting them behind 2-1 in the series.
Today’s update is sponsored by Hamilton Health – Calhoun, part of Vitruvian Health. Dr. Ted Bowers provides primary care and comprehensive wellness management at the Curtis Parkway clinic. Appointments can be scheduled by calling 762-268-4904 or visiting VitruvianHealth.com/Calhoun.